The death of the Delhi gang-rape victim 'Damini' in Singapore on Saturday "is a sobering reminder of the vast tragedy of sexual violence in India", Human Rights Watch said.

The death of the 23-year-old "follows the suicide of a 17-year-old after police failed to act on her complaint of rape", said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

"This is not an isolated incident," Ganguly said in a statement.

"The outrage now should lead to law reform that criminalises all forms of sexual assault, strengthen mechanisms for implementation and accountability, so that victims are not blamed, humiliated or suffering silently."

"It is much harder, but ultimately more effective, to revamp the response of police, doctors, forensic specialists, prosecutors, and judges to sexual violence," she said, adding "Victims deserve an effective, coordinated response to sexual assault."

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